Articles for March 2017

Proverbs 26:6a, “He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet,”

I picture this verse as saying — if a person is known for being foolish and not productive than anything that they say will have no value or credence. It basically will be ignored.

We can apply this to the Christian life. How we live affects the message that we are presenting.  Jesus left us with the command to go into all the world and preach the gospel,  (Mark 16:15).

It is our responsibility to tell men that they are sinners and that Jesus paid the price for that sin on the Cross. By accepting Him as Saviour, they can be born again into God’s family and will spend eternity in Heaven.

Now, we need to look at ourselves. Are we reading the Bible and trying to follow God’s standards so that it makes a difference in our lives?  Can others see Jesus in us, or are we living unto ourselves?  We should be living truthful, righteous, and holy lives.  If we are not – then anything we say will have no value.  It’s like the fool with no feet saying follow me.  He cannot lead because he cannot walk.   He cannot relate a message because there is no respect for what he is saying.

People need to see God in our lives. It should be evident that we have something that enables us to live in this unstable world with peace and joy.  They should be able to see that we have a faith – that they need!

When we are living God honoring lives, then our message will have value and people will listen!

Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

This is the third part of the verse that we started two days ago.  If you have not read those blogs, please go back to them and read them first.

Third, we are to increase in the knowledge of God.

The entire Bible is filled with verses encouraging us to increase in our knowledge of God. The book of Proverbs seems to major on this theme.  We are all aware of the fact that the only true and reliable source of information we have about God and His attributes are found in the Scriptures.  Therefore the only way we can increase our knowledge of God is to increase our knowledge of the Bible.

The word ‘increase’ means to become greater in quantity; to grow (1828 dictionary). This is exactly what God desires of each one of us.  Growing is an action, and increasing in the knowledge of God is an action.  It takes discipline and work to consistently be maturing in our walk with God.  We need to be in the Word reading and meditating EVERY DAY – no exceptions.

I’m sure we have all made New Year’s resolutions that have fallen by the wayside by January 10th – sometimes sooner. This is not what I am talking about.  This is a total commitment to be in God’s Word daily with the purpose of wanting to grow in our Christian life and increase in our knowledge of Him.  We also need to have a heart that wants to apply the things that we learn so they will make a difference in our life.  This is the only way that we will be able to walk worthy of the Lord and to be fruitful in every good work.

This is a goal that you need to make today!

Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

This is the second part of the verse we started on yesterday. If you have not read that blog, go back to it before reading further.

Second, we are to be fruitful in every good work.

Good works are an important part of the Christian life. How do I know – because God refers to them often in the Scriptures.  We all know that God judges man, looking at his heart.  He looks at  the motivation of why he does the things that he does.  But, God knows that man judges men by their outward actions.  What you DO speaks volumes about who you are.  What you DO speaks volumes concerning God’s influence in your life.

Matthew 5:16 seems to sum up the importance of good works in the Christian life.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” When others see your good works, they will see God working in your life, and that will ultimately bring glory to Him.

Never forget that what you do reflects on God – for good or for bad. Colossians 1:10,  “Being fruitful in every good work,”  is saying, that our lives should be productive and filled with good deeds so that we can bring glory to God.

Our motivation each day should be to let others see God in us through doing good!

Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

This verse is packed full of good instruction for the Christian. It is so rich that I am actually going to break it down into three blogs.

First, we are to walk worth of the Lord unto all pleasing.

It is interesting to me that unworthy people can walk in a way that will be pleasing to God. Isaiah 64:6a says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags…”  The truth is that when we accept Jesus as our Saviour, our standing before God is changed forever.  We are now His children, born anew into His family.  He is now our Father and He loves us like a Father.  This fact is hard to wrap my brain around.  God loves you and me and cares about you and me.  The Bible tells us that we can live in a manner that will please Him, or obviously, in a manner that will be a disappointment to Him.  The choice is really ours!

We need to ask ourselves, “How do we walk worthy of the Lord?” It starts with reading the Scriptures and paying attention to God’s instructions.  I think that we know if what we are doing is putting God first.  I believe we know when a choice is made with the thought of desiring to please God or if self is the motivating factor.  I believe that we honestly know if what we are doing is right or wrong.  One thing for sure – God knows!  God has not left us clueless about what pleases Him.  The truth is if you are listening, God will show you through His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit how to live in a manner that will be pleasing to Him.

As you walk through today, focus on this simple fact – is what I am doing pleasing to God?

1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Beware of victories. (Huh!)  I love a victory.  It means that things have gone right and are good.  We have seen God work and we are on the mountain top.  Life is great.  So…why in the world am I putting a damper on this wonderful experience?

The truth is that during the time of victory we are the most vulnerable. When we are in a valley, we know who we have to depend on.  We seek God’s face and direction.  We are in constant communication with Him because we need and want His help and direction.  But, in the time of victory we can become over confident.  Self can run ahead of God.

Victories are wonderful. Rejoice in them and thank God for them, but remember it is only ONE battle won.  There are more coming.

I know you think I am pouring water on your parade but I’m not. I’m not being negative and down in the mouth.  I am being honest.   It’s important to recall the victories in your life – they will give you the strength and encouragement to keep on keeping on;  just don’t park on them.

1 Corinthians 15:58 goes on to say, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”   Life is full of battles and will continue to be so until the Lord takes us home.  A good soldier rejoices in the battle won but then continues to be steadfast, unmoveble, and abounding in the work of the Lord as he moves on to the next one.

Proverbs 22:13, “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.”

The Bible has much to say about the slothful or lazy person. This in one of my favorites.  Among excuses this is definitely one of the most creative.  It’s even better than the dog ate my homework!

Picture this person explaining away his laziness. “I can’t go out to work or do anything constructive because there is a lion out there and he is waiting to slay me.  Alas, I must stay inside and do nothing.  Can’t you see that I am forced to do this, it’s not my fault!”

Now, this really seems bizarre. But wait a minute.  Our excuses as to why we cannot do what God is asking us to do probably sound just as bizarre to Him.  We should examine our reasoning when we are making excuses as to why we can’t do this, or that.   Such as:

• I can’t go to church because……
• I can’t read my Bible because……
• I can’t help out a friend because. ……
• I can’t find time to pray because…..

I’m sure you get the idea. Are your excuses as crazy as this man’s reasoning in Proverbs 22:13?  If so, examine yourself to see if you are just being lazy or even slothful.  If that is the case, you’d better reexamine your position and get up and get out and do what needs to be done for God. No excuses.  Remember, if God is the one directing you, He will take care of that LION!

THINK ABOUT IT! Nothing good is ever said in the Scriptures about the slothful person.

Hebrews 13:5b, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

 Have you ever been lonely?  Webster’s dictionary defines loneliness as: sad from lack of companionship, being without company.

I believe loneliness is a feeling of no one caring. There is no one to talk to and share our thoughts and needs with.

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

John 14:16,17b say, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; … for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

The truth is that you are never alone.

            Jesus is with you …. God is with you …. the Holy Spirit is with you.

This truth of God’s presence in our lives can be a great comfort to us, but God knows that the companionship of other people can also be desired. Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly:”  It’s possible that you need to take the first step to reach out to someone else who also may be lonely.  Invite them to lunch, start a coffee group, visit nursing homes, be creative.  There are so many people out there who are suffering from lack of companionship.  We need to step out of our comfort zone and offer them our friendship.  Church is a great place to start!

Psalm 69:17, “And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.”

 Yesterday, we talked about the privilege of prayer and indeed it is a privilege. This verse is a continuation of that prayer.

The psalmist David is pleading with God to hear him. His very words are:  “for I am in trouble: hear me speedily”

How often has this been our prayer – different circumstance but with the same urgency.

This is a quote from my book “I Want to be a Better Me for God” Chapter 20, page 76.

“So often we have a need. It is real, it is important, it is critical that we receive an answer quickly (or so we think.)  But many times God does not rush to answer our prayers.  It is not because He does not understand our need or that He does not care.  The truth is, He can see all the aspects involved in answering our prayer.  He has a divine purpose and plan.  He knows what is best.  It really is a matter of trust on our part.  Don’t give up hope.  Learn to wait — the blessings will be greater and the glory to God will be greater!”

It’s okay to ask God to answer your prayers speedily, but if He doesn’t, trust that He has a plan and a purpose for making you wait. God’s timing is always right!

Psalm 69:16, “Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me
according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.”

 “Hear me, O LORD:” This is a sincere request by a mere man to a Holy God.  The God who created this universe.

We all have needs, wants, and requests and we are asking this supreme God to hear us. How is this possible?  The answer is in the second part of this verse.  God hears us not because we are worthy to be heard but because of His lovingkindness and tender mercies.  He cares about us and desires to fellowship with us through prayer.

I fear we often take this privilege too lightly. We can rattle off our prayers with little thought and much speed without even considering WHO we are talking to.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Prayer is one of the greatest benefits of the Christian. We have direct access to a Holy God who loves us and wants to guide and direct us through this uncertain and rocky life.  He wants to meet every need that we have.   (This access is available to us through believing and accepting the work that Jesus did on the cross.)

The next time you go to prayer, think about the great privilege that it is, and think about WHO you are talking with.  Don’t forget to thank Him for this privilege and make sure you take time to listen for His answer!

Proverbs 3:27,28, “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
“Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.”

This particular verse is concerned with helping others. God wants us to jump in and help – now, not at some future date when it is more convenient.  (Wow!  I never realized it before but God is the originator of the principle – Do it Now.  This is a clear directive to stop procrastinating.)

“Do it Now!”

This principle can apply to many areas of our lives, not just helping others. So, what is it that I should be doing?  Anything that needs to be done – no matter what it is.  Stop putting off the things that you have the power to do now.  We all have areas in our lives both physical and spiritual that we may need to address.  Organizing, cleaning, losing weight,  (yuk!), being more disciplined in our Bible reading, prayer, and witnessing, to name a few.

Ask God to show you areas in which you need to become more disciplined. Ask Him to help you make the choices that are necessary to accomplish the things that you should.  Let’s start making these changes TODAY.
No….. not tomorrow – remember ‘Do it Now!’

Let’s become ‘doers‘ and not just ‘I’ll do it later‘ people!

Have a Good Day –  and get working!